Real Estate to Freedom

From Broker to Investor: How Cody Watts Finds Commercial Deals Everywhere

The Broker Who Creates Buyers: How Cody Watts Finds and Flips Commercial Deals Most commercial brokers list properties and hope the right buyer shows up. Cody Watts does something very different. In this episode, Beckie sits down with Cody Watts, a commercial broker and investor who has built a powerful strategy for creating buyers instead of waiting for them. Cody owns his own brokerage and focuses primarily on office, retail, and warehouse properties, though he also has a strong interest in multifamily. What makes his approach unique is how proactive he is when selling a property. Instead of simply putting a listing on the MLS, Cody: Identifies businesses currently operating in smaller spaces Shows them how upgrading into the new property could benefit their business Works to move them into the larger space Then often picks up the listing for the property they’re leaving This strategy allows him to create demand while also generating additional listings and deal opportunities. Beyond brokerage, Cody has also built a strong income stream by acting as a principal investor. He often: Buys commercial properties with his own capital Remodels or improves them Leases them up Sells them later at a profit Today, he’s finding more commercial value-add opportunities than he can personally fund — opening the door to potential partnerships with capital partners and investors. If you want to understand how brokers think, how commercial deals really move through the market, and where opportunities exist in office, retail, and warehouse properties, this conversation is packed with insights.

Cost Segregation & Bonus Depreciation: The Tax Strategy That Changes Everything

Cost Segregation & Bonus Depreciation: The Tax Strategy That Changes Everything What if your property could generate significant tax deductions in year one instead of being depreciated slowly over decades? In this episode, Beckie sits down with Kim Lockridge to unpack the ins and outs of cost segregation and bonus depreciation — two of the most powerful tax strategies available to real estate investors. This is not surface-level tax talk. It’s strategic planning that directly impacts your after-tax returns and long-term wealth building. We break down: What cost segregation really is (in simple terms) How it accelerates depreciation How bonus depreciation works alongside a cost seg study The strengths of using this strategy The limitations and potential downsides Who qualifies — and when it makes sense For many investors, this strategy can create massive upfront deductions — but only if it’s done correctly. If you own commercial real estate or plan to invest, understanding cost segregation and bonus depreciation is a game changer.

Unlocking Self-Directed IRAs for Real Estate: Grow Your Retirement with Brenda Lambert

Curious how to use retirement dollars to buy real estate? In this Real Estate to Freedom episode, Beckie Lambert sits down with Brenda Lambert, a self-directed IRA (SDIRA) specialist, to demystify how investors use tax-advantaged accounts to build wealth with real assets. What we cover: What a Self-Directed IRA is (and how it differs from a regular IRA) Eligible assets: rentals, syndications, notes, land, storage, and more Custodians vs. checkbook control (LLC/Trust) — pros & cons Deal flow with retirement funds: direct ownership vs. passive syndications Rules you must know: prohibited transactions, disqualified persons, arm’s-length requirements Taxes & leverage: UBIT/UBTI & UDFI basics when using debt Practical steps to open, fund, and execute your first SDIRA real estate deal Whether you want cash-flowing rentals or truly passive limited-partner stakes, this primer will help you use retirement dollars to buy real estate—legally and strategically. 🎧 Tune in and learn how to supercharge your retirement with real estate!

From Microsoft to $1 Billion in Multifamily: Faris Musa’s Data-Driven Path to Freedom

In this episode of Real Estate to Freedom, Beckie Lambert sits down with Faris Musa, co-founder of Disrupt Equity, to unpack his incredible journey from tech to real estate domination. 💥 Faris started his career at Microsoft as a Program Manager, armed with a Computer Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin. But he didn’t stop there — his entrepreneurial spirit led him to launch a successful software firm before diving headfirst into multifamily real estate. Today, Faris and his team have built a vertically integrated powerhouse with over 5,500 units and $1 billion in assets — all focused in the booming Sunbelt markets. ☀️ In this episode, you’ll discover: ✅ How a tech mindset and data-driven approach transformed his real estate strategy ✅ The rise, fall, and rebound of Sunbelt markets over the last few years ✅ The systems and leadership lessons behind scaling to a billion-dollar portfolio ✅ Why innovation and operational excellence are the secret weapons of modern multifamily investing This is one of those conversations that blends entrepreneurial grit with analytical precision—and will leave you thinking differently about what’s possible in real estate. 🎧 Tune in now and learn how to build smarter, scale faster, and invest with confidence!

Bonus Depreciation: The Strategy That Could Save You Six Figures

Bonus Depreciation: The Strategy That Could Save You Six Figures What if one tax strategy could potentially save you hundreds of thousands of dollars? In this episode, Nate and Beckie sit down with Bill Walpole and Robyn Fujikawa to break down one of the most powerful — and misunderstood — tools available to real estate investors: Bonus Depreciation. This isn’t generic tax talk. This is high-level strategy that directly impacts your after-tax returns and long-term wealth building. We cover: What bonus depreciation really is (in plain English) How it works alongside cost segregation The major strengths — and why investors love it The limitations and phase-down rules you need to understand The requirements to qualify Common mistakes that can cost investors big If you invest in commercial real estate — or are planning to — understanding bonus depreciation is not optional. It’s leverage. Listen in and learn how sophisticated investors use tax strategy to keep more capital working for them.